Starmount Middle School Bullying Presentation By: Miss. Shaud, M.Ed. School Counselor

My name is Gossip I have no respect for others. I hurt without feeling I break hearts and ruin lives. I am hateful and malicious And gather strength with my age The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody ’ s friend. Once I ruin a reputation, things are never the same. I cause embarrassment, and wreck friendships.. I ruin someone ’ s school day and cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and stomach aches. I ’ m make innocent people cry on their pillows. My sound hisses, they call me Gossip. I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, Maybe you should ask yourself: Is this true? Is this harmless? Is it necessary? or is it just “ nobody ’ s friend ”, gossip. If it ’ s not yours to tell, please don ’ t.

 You have ever been bullied?  You have ever bullied someone else?  You have ever seen someone else be bullied?

 Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.

 Because someone is bullying them.  To punish someone their mad at.  To feel powerful.  To impress other people and be “cool”.  To gain respect.  Sometimes to keep from being bullied.  To fit in.  They are only having fun at someone else's expense.  Because others are doing it.

Any type of physical assault (fighting, shoving, kicking, punching, spitting) Verbal: Any type of verbal assault (name calling, personal comments, racial slurs, teasing, mocking behavior) Physical: Using friendships as a way to hurt someone else. (Gossiping, teasing, cyber- bullying, etc.) Social/ Relational:

The Queen Bee: Powerful, persuasive, wont take responsibility, weakens others relationships. The Sidekick : Does what the Queen Bee wants her to do. The Banker: Gathers gossip to increase status The Wannabee: Desperately wants to be part of the group The Target: Usually have no idea they are the target. The real women: Secure, floats from group to group, no need to bully.

What are some excuses that kids make about bullying? “I was just kidding.” “I didn’t mean anything by it.” “Can’t you take a joke?” “Its our nicknames for each other.” “I didn’t think she cared what I said.” “It is an inside joke.”

"Bullies may think it is funny, but harassing peers is no laughing matter. Bullying leads to psychological and physical consequences that outlast the school day.” /03/outbreak-of-school-bullying.html

It is when one child targets another child using interactive technologies such as:

 Split into groups of 4-5. Pick a type of bullying. Brainstorm ideas of how to stop it.  Come up with a skit to show the meaning of the type of bullying you picked.

280,000 students are physically attached in secondary schools each month.